Emergency

Preparedness
Healthcare Workers
 Session Objectives
• You will be able to:
• Identify workplace hazards that could cause an emergency
• Report emergencies promptly
• Carry out emergency responsibilities
• Evacuate quickly and safely
• Respond to emergency situations effectively
 What You Need to Know
• Workplace hazards that could lead to an emergency
• How to report emergencies
• Emergency responsibilities
• Evacuation routes and procedures
• Response to fires and chemical/biohazard emergencies
 Are You Prepared?
• How would you react to a fire alarm?
• What would you do in a natural disaster such as a violent
storm?
• Do you know your role if there were a serious chemical or
biohazard incident?
• How would you respond to an act of violence?
 OSHA Requirements
• Evacuation and exit
routes
• Alarm systems
• Protective measures
• Training
• Emergency action and
fire prevention plans
 Types of Emergencies
You Could Face
• Fires and explosions
• Chemical and biohazard incidents
• Natural disasters
• Violence
 Fire Hazards: Electrical
• Overloaded electrical
systems
• Damaged wires and
cords
• Damaged plugs
• Defective equipment
 Fire Hazards:
Flammable Chemicals
• Don’t smoke around
flammable chemicals
• Store flammables
properly
• Dispense flammables
properly
• Read MSDSs and labels
 Fire Hazards: Smoking
And Housekeeping
• Smoke only in designated areas
• Make sure cigarettes and
matches are completely
extinguished
• Keep your work area clean and
neat
• Properly dispose of fire hazards
such as combustible trash
 Chemical Release Hazards
• Look for signs of
chemical spills
• Report leaking
containers immediately
• Don’t attempt a cleanup
unless you are trained
and equipped
 Biohazards
• Contagious diseases
• Infectious
microorganisms in
laboratories
• Foodborne illness
• Mold
 Natural Disaster Hazards
• Flooding
• Tornado
• Hurricane
• Earthquake
 Violence Hazards
• Workplace
violence
• Civil
disturbance
• Terrorist acts
 Hazard Identification
• Do you
understand the
information that
has been
presented so far?
Be Prepared to Respond Effectively
to Emergencies
• Find out what you need to know now
• Prepare yourself to act correctly
• Participate in emergency drills
• Become familiar with emergency plans and coordinators
• Keep emergency exits clear
Know How to Report an Emergency
• Location of alarm
boxes
• How to activate them
• Who to call
• What to report
 Understand Emergency
Responsibilities
• Handle only tasks you’ve been assigned and
trained for
• Understand exactly what’s expected of you
• Carry out responsibilities only if you can do
so safely
 Patient Evacuation Responsibilities
• Understand a patient’s
condition before moving
• Know specific patient
removal procedures
• Be able to locate assigned
safe areas inside or outside
the facility
 Know Your Evacuation Route(s)
• Have at least two escape
routes from your work area
• Know where emergency
exits are located in other
parts of the facility
• Know where to go for roll
call once safely outside
Be Familiar with Evacuation Procedures
• Recognize the evacuation
signal and listen for
instructions
• Alert co-workers and
patients
• Shut down equipment
• Go directly to the nearest
safe exit
 Evacuation Procedures (cont.)
• Move quickly but calmly
• Follow directions from emergency response
personnel
• Proceed to the assembly area
• Do not leave the area until instructed
 Notification and Evacuation
• Questions?
 Respond Safely to Fires
• Remove yourself from danger
• Trigger the alarm
• Retrieve a fire extinguisher
• Call for additional help
• Continually evaluate the situation for the necessity to evacuate
• Don’t try to fight large, spreading fires yourself
Fire Response: Extinguishing Systems
• Portable
extinguisher
• Fire hose
• Fire suppression
systems
 Fire Response:
Extinguisher Types
• A—For combustibles
such as trash, wood, or
paper
• B—For flammable
liquids or gases
• C—For electrical fires
• ABC—Multipurpose
 Fire Response: Extinguisher Use
• Pull the pin
• Aim at the base of
the fire
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep back and
forth
Respond Safely to Chemical/Biohazards
• Evacuate the area
• Shut doors and windows
• Notify a supervisor or the emergency coordinator immediately
• Remove ignition sources (if safe to do so)
• Do not return to the area until instructed
 Key Points to Remember

• Fires, chemicals/biohazards, natural disasters, and

violence can cause workplace emergencies
• Be sure you know evacuation routes, emergency
procedures, and emergency responsibilities
• Ask if you have questions about emergency
preparedness; don’t wait for a real emergency